Thanksgiving, a day steeped in tradition and smothered in gravy, is a highlight for many across the United States, marking a time for gratitude, family and epic feasting. Yet, behind the turkey, the parades, and the football, there lies a treasure trove of trivia that even the most seasoned Thanksgiving celebrant might not know. Let’s carve into these lesser-known tidbits about America’s beloved Turkey Day.
The Thanksgiving Turkey’s Presidential Pardon
It all began with a spontaneous story at the White House. Picture this: it’s 1947, and President Harry S. Truman is presented with a plump, live turkey by the National Turkey Federation. News outlets ran with the story that Truman had given the bird a presidential pardon, starting a quirky tradition. Officially, it wasn’t until 1989 that President George H. W. Bush formalized the turkey pardoning, turning it into the annual ceremony we know today. As President Bush remarked, “Let me assure you, and this fine tom turkey, that he will not end up on anyone’s dinner table, not this guy—he’s granted a Presidential pardon as of right now!”
The Tale of TV Dinner’s Birth
The year was 1953, and the folks at Swanson found themselves drowning in a sea of leftover turkey—an estimated 260 tons from Thanksgiving sales that hadn’t quite met expectations. A salesman named Gerry Thomas had a lightbulb moment, inspired by the airplane meals served in compartmentalized trays. Why not slice up the turkey and serve it with some trimmings in aluminum trays? Thus, the first TV dinner was born, revolutionizing post-Thanksgiving meals and American eating habits forever.
A Day for Parades and Pomp
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade began in 1924, not as a parade to celebrate Thanksgiving but rather a way to herald the coming of the Christmas season. Originally featuring Macy’s employees dressed in vibrant costumes, live animals from the Central Park Zoo, and floats, it has evolved into a spectacular event with giant helium character balloons, first starring Felix the Cat in 1927. Each year, more than 3.5 million people watch the parade live along the route, and over 50 million people tune in to watch it on television, making it a centerpiece of American Thanksgiving culture.
Football and Thanksgiving: A Historic Duo
Did you know that Thanksgiving football games predate the NFL itself? The first intercollegiate football championship was held on Thanksgiving Day in 1876, just a few years after Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday. Since then, the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys have hosted games on this holiday, entrenching the tradition of Thanksgiving football in American lore. As sportswriter Steve Rushin once quipped, “Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Halftimes take twelve minutes. This is not a coincidence.”
A Time for Weird Traditions
Ever heard of Turkey Bowling? Originating in the late 1980s in California, this unusual sport involves hurling a frozen turkey down a grocery store aisle to knock over bottles of soda or water. While it might raise eyebrows, it’s all part of the quirky side of Thanksgiving traditions, celebrating the holiday spirit with a twist.
The Day of Many Turkeys
Approximately 46 million turkeys are consumed each Thanksgiving, compared to 22 million eaten at Christmas and 19 million at Easter. With all those turkeys, it’s surprising to learn that the traditional Thanksgiving menu enjoyed by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe likely didn’t feature turkey prominently. Historians suggest that the first Thanksgiving feast included venison, ducks, geese, oysters, lobster, eel, and fish. But turkey, being plentiful in North America and relatively inexpensive, eventually became the star of the show.
Wrapping Up With Gratitude
As you gather around the table this year, laden with more food than you can eat, sharing these facts may add an extra layer of fun to your celebration. Of course, Thanksgiving is not just about the past but also about creating new memories and stories to be told at future gatherings. So, as you pass the stuffing and pour the gravy, consider serving up these tidbits of trivia. I’ll bet you’ll have friends and family gobbling up your every word.
